I've always been fascinated by icebergs. The shear enormity of these monoliths is impressive, but what has always interested me is the fact that 75 percent of their mass hides from our view underwater. Good political campaigns are a lot like icebergs. While the top is extremely visible, the largest part isn’t always easy to see. Most people only see the media side of a campaign … [Read more...] about Grassroots and Icebergs: The Nature of Political Campaigns

Did you know that a firm as small as one person can establish a 401(k)? This is not a new phenomenon. It just never made sense under the old tax law. However, recent changes in the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 have made the 401(k) much more attractive for these small employers. How attractive? Consider a small business owner at age 50, with … [Read more...] about Good News for the Self-Employed: Tax Changes Improve Retirement Planning

Power is a word that often evokes emotion, whether it be fear, desire or anger. Most of us want power in one form or another: power in finances, power in politics, power in the casino industry. Few of us want "the other guy" to have it. How does one get power? Usually - through hard work, ingenuity, encouragement, determination - one earns it. Michael Shustek created the … [Read more...] about POWER PLAYERS: Making Things Happen in Nevada

Stantec’s professional consulting services include the traditional design disciplines of planning, architecture, interior design, engineering, surveying and mapping. Founded in 1954 by Dr. Don Stanley, Stantec began as a one-man consulting operation based in Alberta, Canada, and remained focused on municipal water and wastewater projects for most of its first two decades. … [Read more...] about Engineering and a Whole Lot More: Stantec Builds Nevada From the Ground Up

Concentra Health Services, Inc. a division of Concentra Inc., works closely with employers and insurance companies to contain and minimize workplace health costs by offering an extensive range of services, from pre-placement assessments to employee wellness programs to workplace injury prevention and treatment. "Working with Concentra, employers can create a healthy and … [Read more...] about Concentra Health Services: Getting Nevadans Back to Work

At some banks, customers are greeted by a computer-generated voice and a menu full of options when they call with an inquiry. If they remember which number to press, they might be lucky enough to speak with an actual person. No more, said Don Anderson, senior vice president of Marine Bank, who is out to change the long-held premise that banks are aloof and uncaring. Anderson … [Read more...] about Marine Bank Drops Anchor in Southern Nevada

If first and second quarter office space activity reports continue to be robust (and there’s every indication they will), Nevada – both the southern and northern markets – will enjoy a better year than it did in 2001, say real estate industry experts, but with a hint of hesitancy in their collective voices. Last year, transactions in all office market classes statewide came to … [Read more...] about Nevada’s Office Outlook: Brokers “Cautiously Upbeat”

Las Vegas’ oldest general contracting firm has a new name to reflect its affiliation with a national company, but has the same mission that has earned it respect for more than 50 years. Carson Construction Co., founded in 1946 by Don Carson, began operating under its new name in March. The Las Vegas operation was acquired three years ago by Taylor Ball Corp., a national general … [Read more...] about Carson Taylor Harvey: Veteran Contracting Firm Gets New Name

"Note to the last obstetrician to leave Southern Nevada: Please turn out the lights." Letter to Gov. Kenny Guinn from the Clark County Obstetrics and Gynecology Society I expressed my opinion last month on the crisis caused by Nevada’s physicians leaving the state, but since the problem is still in the headlines (as it should be), let’s revisit it again and get a little … [Read more...] about This Time It’s Personal: We’re All Affected by the Doctor Exodus